Red Clay Suzie by Jeffrey Dale Lofton

Red Clay Suzie by Jeffrey Dale Lofton

A novel inspired by true events

The coming-of-age story of Philbet, a gay, physically-misshapen boy in rural Georgia, who battles bullying, ignorance, and disdain as he makes his way in life as an outsider—before finding acceptance in unlikely places.

Fueled by tomato sandwiches and green milkshakes, and obsessed with cars, Philbet struggles with life and love as a gay boy in rural Georgia. He’s happiest when helping Grandaddy dig potatoes from the vegetable garden that connects their houses. But Philbet’s world is shattered and his resilience shaken by events that crush his innocence and sense of security; expose his misshapen chest skillfully hidden behind shirts Mama makes at home; and convince him that he’s not fit to be loved by Knox, the older boy he idolizes to distraction. Over time, Philbet finds refuge in unexpected places and inner strength in unexpected ways, leading to a resolution in the form of a letter from beyond the grave.

“This fantastic novel is striking, and the storytelling is strong. You won’t be able to put it down. At least I couldn’t.” Morgan Talty, author of Night of the Living Rez "You can't help but root for Philbet, the unforgettable hero of Jeffrey Dale Lofton's arresting debut Red Clay Suzie. I was moved by the insights and settings of this book and by the vivid depiction of a unique childhood that feels universal in its longing." Christopher Castellani, author of Leading Men "If eleven-year-old me had had a book like this to read, what a joy that would have been. It’s beautiful. It’s important. It’s F@#%ing magic.” Pete Cross, Audie and Earphones Award-Winning Audiobook Narrator and Producer

“Red Clay Suzie’s Philbet Lawson joins Scout Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) and Frankie Addams (The Member of the Wedding) in Southern literature’s pantheon of outsider children. While Philbet finds unlikely allies in his small world, others ridicule his sensitive nature and deformed body. Philbet’s roots are planted in the South’s inhospitable red clay, but he grows up, honest to his true self. Read Red Clay Suzie and cheer on Philbet, a new literary hero.” Alice Leccese Powers, writer and editor of the best-selling In Mind series

Red Clay Suzie Wins American Book Fest’s Best Book Award for LGBTQ+ Fiction and Red Clay Suzie Wins American Book Fest’s Best Book Award for LGBTQ+ Fiction and was a finalist in the Literary Fiction category. a finalist in the Literary Fiction category.

Red Clay Suzie Wins Seven Hills Literary Prize for Fiction Awarded by t he Tallahassee Writers Association Red Clay Suzie Named a Lambda Literary “Most Anticipated LGBTQIA+ Book”

Jeffrey Dale Lofton hails from Warm Springs, Georgia, best known for Roosevelt’s Little White House. He calls the nation’s capital home now, where early on he spent many a night acting on the stages of DC’s theaters and performing arts centers. He even scored a few television appearances, including a Super Bowl halftime commercial, which his accountant wisecracked “Is the finest work of your career.” When he stepped away from acting for other, more traditional employment (much to his parents’ delight and relief), he also focused on pursuing post-graduate work, ultimately being awarded Master’s degrees in both Public Administration and Library and Information Science. Today, he is a senior advisor at the Library of Congress, surrounded by books and people who love books—in short, paradise.